McDowell understands Harrington's frustration: "The game drives us absolutely bananas"

Graeme McDowell knows what it’s like to suffer on the golf course. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell understands Padraig Harrington’s frustrations, insisting: “You’ve got to be nuts to play this game well.”

Hearing that Harrington had parted with long-time coach Bob Torrance, the Ulsterman confessed that change is sometimes the only way to stay sane.

Tied 25th after a closing 70, McDowell said: “Something had to break really with Pádraig. He’s been working too hard to not get any results.

“I can’t think of anyone other than maybe Vijay who grinds like Pádraig does. At some point you just need to hear something different.”

McDowell changed his entire backroom team including his coach and management company at the end of 2006.

And that’s why he understands why Harrington simply had to make a change and part ways with the veteran Scottish coach.

He said: “When things are going tough for a long period of time, golf course is a lonely place where you can do a lot of thinking.

“You’re out there for five, five and a half hours; it is a lonely place, and everything goes through your mind.

McDowell resurrected as Harrington expires on Friday the 13th

The last 12 months have been a blur for Graeme McDowell.Graeme McDowell confirmed his return to form after six weeks in the doldrums by racing into contention for The Players Championship at Sawgrass.

On a day when Padraig Harrington’s place in the world’s top 50 became even more tenuous with a spectacular missed cut, the US Open champion confessed that he has been “swinging the golf club like an idiot” since he came back from his four-week break in February and completely lost the plot after the hottest eight-month streak of his career.

McDowell goes sunnyside up

Graeme McDowell speaking to mental coach Dr Bob Rotella on day two of the US Open. Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell believes that laughter could be the best medicine for his Open agony.

The Portrush ace, 32 next Saturday, crashed out at Sandwich after a nightmare second day and confessed that trying too hard had turned him into “a mental case” at Royal St George’s.

And that’s why he heads to Killarney for this week’s Irish Open hoping that the party atmosphere will help him have fun on the course and play his best golf.

Torrance: “You cannot make changes at 40 in golf"

Padraig Harrington and caddie Ronan Flood in Killarney. Who will be next to go in Harrington’s back-room team? Photo Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieBob Torrance reckons Padraig Harrington is on a road to nowhere and won’t win again until he turns back.

The veteran Scot, 79, insists that the Dubliner is “crazy” to make changes in his swing as he prepares to turn 40 at the end of this month.

“Disappointed” that Harrington has decided to “take a break” in their 15-year partnership, Torrance said: “He has been going down one road that I think is the wrong one and he is determined to go down that road.

“I said to him, if you go down too far, you won’t come back.

“You cannot make changes at 40 in golf. You can make them when you are in your 20’s, but once you get to 40, it is too late.

How Pádraig Harrington remains "sane"

Pádraig Harrington is playing more golf than ever in the build up to the Masters. Pictured here in Abu Dhabi earlier this season by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.iePádraig Harrington insists it’s his desire to keep moving forward that’s inspiring his globetrotting preparations for the Masters.